Watch: Dog causes havoc after getting on to course at cyclocross race
The latest in a long line of canines to find themselves running amok during a bike race
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Winning a cyclocross race is no mean feat. The mud, cold conditions and climbing on and off your bike to get round the course. Many people, understandably so, give the winter cycling offering a big 'no thanks'.
However, in a week where 'Dogs at Polling Stations' gave a more lighthearted feel to the UK's general election, our canine friends clearly haven't had enough of the limelight just yet.
As well as the mud and cold, riders at the Druivencross race in the Flemish Overijse region of Belgium had to also contend with a dog that had escaped onto the course.
As riders, including cyclocross world champion Mathieu van der Poel, cross the finish line to start another lap, a dog enthusiastically chases after them, with its lead still attached and its owner nowhere to be seen.
As Van der Poel and another rider surge on ahead, a chasing back close behind chase the dog round the bend, having to navigate not only the animal but a number of spectators and stewards who run out on to the course in an attempt to chase it off.
Van der Poel eventually won the race, finishing ahead of Brit Tom Pidcock in second place, with the young Dutchman bouncing back after being beaten in a cyclocross race yesterday (December 14) for the first time in 408 days.
Toon Aerts took the victory on a wet day at Hotondcross, with Van der Poel struggling to find his legs after two weeks at a training camp in Spain, the 24-year-old preparing for the upcoming road season where he is expected to challenge for major wins in the spring Classics.
Dogs causing problems at bike races is not a new or unprecedented phenomenon.
At Tirreno-Adriatico in 2017, Peter Sagan had to take evasive action after a woman walked her dog right into his path as he was competing in the individual time trial. After the race Sagan said: "I love dogs but please respect the safety of riders!"
One of the more infamous canine incidents occurred in the 2007 Tour de France, when a T-Mobile's Marcus Burghardt collided with a labrador, collapsing his front wheel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT7f6Ac3FHI
Luckily, neither rider nor dog were hurt by the coming together.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
CW Live: Specialized axes women's kit brand Machines for Freedom
We scour the internet for all the best bits from the world of cycling
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Racing on a budget vs no expense spared - here's the difference money made to my cycling performance
Just how much faster could an average rider go if they had access to all the best aerodynamic kit and knowledge? Cycling Weekly Editor, Simon Richardson went to find out...
By Simon Richardson • Published
-
17-year-old CX rider ‘catapulted’ into layby by tractor scores top ten finish at national champs
Raph Tabiner from Warrington nearly gave up racing all together after shocking incident
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel deserve big CX appearance fees, says British champ
British national champion says Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel receive high appearance fees for a reason
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Zoe Bäckstedt obliterates all competition to become British female national cyclocross champion
After overcoming a difficult start, Cameron Mason destroyed the field to take the men’s title
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
From learning to read again to racing Wout van Aert: Ben Frederick's journey to the top of cyclo-cross
The American suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2016, but has refound his love for cycling and has ridden some elite CX races this winter
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wout van Aert wins round 12 of the Men's Cyclocross World Cup in the Zonhoven sandpit
The early stages suggested it was going to be a battle between the top four, but Van Aert went clear and never looked back
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Shirin van Anrooij wins Zonhoven round of the Cyclocross World Cup
Shirin van Anrooij was simply the best rider on the day as she coped best with the sandy course
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Wout van Aert claims most dominant cyclo-cross win of the season at X20 Trofee Koksijde
The Belgian mastered the sand ruts to beat Mathieu van der Poel by over a minute and a half
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel and Puck Pieterse win X20 Trofee Herentals cyclo-cross
It's a Dutch golden day out in Belgium as the Alpecin pair win
By Adam Becket • Published